Effective Use of Language.The Importance of Language

As a writer, it’s important not only to think about what you say, but how you say it. To communicate effectively, it is really not enough to have well organized ideas expressed in complete and coherent sentences and paragraphs. One must also consider the style, tone and clarity of his/her writing, and adapt these elements to your reading audience. Again, analyzing one’s audience and purpose is the key to writing effectiveness. In order to select the most effective language, the writer must think about the objective associated with document, the context for which it is being written, and who can be reading it.

Characteristics of Effective Language

Concrete language includes how to write an essay in college descriptions which create tangible images with details the reader can visualize. Abstract language is vague and obscure, and does not bring to mind specific images that are visual. Look at the two sets of statements below. The statement towards the top is abstract, however the statements become increasingly concrete and specific toward the underside.

He is a roommate that is bad is lazy and discourteous He could be untidy and unclean He doesn’t tidy up his very own messes He leaves his dirty dishes in the kitchen counter

Your relationship with John is unacceptable that you do not get along well with John You and John have plenty of arguments you and John too insult each other much You and John call one another derogatory names

Notice exactly how much more effective the statements become since the language becomes more specific and concrete. The statements at the top, which are more abstract, may be interpreted in a lot of ways that are possible and leave many questions answered. The statements in the bottom, which are more concrete, are less available to multiple interpretations.

A hallmark of effective writers could be the capability to express the desired message in as few words that you can. Good writers, quite simply, use language which will be straightforward and to-the-point. Think about the examples that are following.

(1) it really is widely discussed by employees that numerous of them will be forced to change jobs and take on responsibilities that are new the merger takes place amongst the two companies. (2) before carefully deciding about whether or not the person on trial is guilty or innocent in cases like this, the members of the jury must be certain to carefully think of, ponder and reflect on every one of the important and testimony that is relevant the actual situation.

Notice how long-winded these sentences are, and how easily they are often shortened and simplified. An essential part of revising and editing involves re-phrasing sentences to eliminate wordiness that is excessive. One way to reduce wordiness is to eliminate redundant words or phrases. Consider example one above. The phrases “to change jobs” and “take on new responsibilities” are redundant, and may be combined into one phrase that is short be expressed more concisely.

Consider example two above. The phrase “. should be sure to carefully think of, ponder and think about. ” contains three ways of saying the same thing. This sentence could be improved through the use of only one associated with phrases that are key “. to reflect on. “

A way that is second reduce wordiness would be to eliminate “filler” words which serve no purpose into the sentence. Consider example one above. Replace the phrase “. once the merger takes place between the two companies” with “. when the 2 companies merge.” Consider example two above. Spot the wordiness that is excessive listed here phrase: “Before making the decision about if the person on trial is guilty or innocent in this instance . ” This sentence could simply read: “Before determining the defendant’s guilt or innocence. “

Familiar language is that that the readers easily recognize and understand on a regular basis because they use it. Perhaps one of the most important functions of language is to build “homophily” or a feeling of commonality with a person’s readers. Language which is foreign and unfamiliar towards the reader has a tendency to emphasize the differences between writer and reader, and helps make the message tough to understand. The message is likely to have more impact by using language that is familiar to the reader.

Think about the following examples.

An assignment fond of a class of business students by their philosophy professor: “The presently assigned paper necessitates an eloquently articulated analysis for the Existentialist perspective when it comes to living that is contemporary. You need to adumbrate the true points which represent the sine qua non of one’s analysis.”

A letter sent to high school students warning them associated with the risks of an unhealthy diet: “Individuals who maintain a diet of high fat content are exposed to an increased danger of developing atherosclerosis, which will be a buildup of fat deposits on the inner walls associated with arteries. This problem can reduce or cut the flow off of blood when you look at the arteries serving the most important organs associated with the body. This can lead to poor health.”

Both in examples above, the language which is used is unfamiliar to your readers. The message loses its impact as a result.

Precise and Clear Language

The application of appropriate language is a matter that is tricky the meaning of words is relative and situational. Put differently, words may be interpreted in various ways by different people in various situations. For this reason, it is vital to choose language that is as precise and clear that you can. The more precise and one that is clear use of language becomes, the fewer the sheer number of possible interpretations for an email. Look at the following words. What numerical value would you assign to each of those? If something is “probable what percentage of the right time does it occur? P>

(1) probable (2) doubtful (3) certainly (4) unlikely (5) perhaps

Would other people assign the same value to these words as you did? In actuality, the range of values varies greatly mainly because terms are relative: they can mean various things to different people in different situations. How could one become more precise in his/her usage of these terms?

Consider the examples below. Realize that these terms may differ widely in the meaning to people that are different. The easiest way to make use of such relative terms, then, is to compare them to something concrete and “known” to the reader. An expensive car?” is best answered with a comparison: “Compared to that Honda, the Acura is expensive for example: “Is that Acura. Compared to that Lexus, it really is inexpensive.”

expensive hot intelligent spicy that is good

Look at the following examples. Note the confusion that is potential ambiguity within these phrases.

(1) Why the student body should continue in this state of apathy is not actually understandable. (2) Our student body is dull and slack-minded. (3) The practice and theory of politics are studied into the classroom but habits that are political campus do not appear to benefit from such labor. (4) he is an individual that is interesting. (5) It is difficult to estimate the amount of people impacted by AIDS.

All the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice their double meaning.

(1) Include your young ones when Baking Cookies (2) Safety Experts Say School Buss Passengers should be Belted (3) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board (4) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years (5) Eye Drops Off Shelf

In short, it is advisable to imagine carefully about your selection of words and their interpretations that are potential. To communicate effectively, precise and clear language is essential.